Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday dared President Rodrigo Duterte and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to go down to communities and see the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
Aquino challenged the two officials after Diokno said “hard facts” will prove that TRAIN is not bringing down the economy.
“Sana mag-usap muna ang Presidente at ang Budget Secretary upang klaruhin ang estado ng ekonomiya. Mas mainam kung bumisita na rin sila sa mga komunidad upang malaman kung ano ang dinadanas ng mga pamilyang nasasagasaan ng kanilang polisiya,” Aquino said in a statement.
(I wish the President and the Budget Secretary will talk first to clarify the status of the economy. It would be better if they will also visit communities to know the experiences of families affected by their policies.)
Diokno earlier refuted claims that poor people have been bearing the brunt of the law.
“You look at the facts, not impressions, not perceptions, but the hard facts and you’ll be convinced that it’s not the case,” Diokno said in a press conference.
However, Aquino believed otherwise, saying prices of goods tell the truth.
“Pumunta po kayo sa palengke, hindi po nagsisinungaling ang presyo ng bilihin (Go to public markets, prices on goods don’t lie), Aquino suggested.
The Senator also urged the administration to support his measure to suspend the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN law “to ease the public’s burden.”
He also called on the government to implement fully the unconditional cash transfer program and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney drivers and operators. /vvp